nucleus
noun /ˈnjuːkliəs/
/ˈnuːkliəs/
(plural nuclei
/ˈnjuːkliaɪ/
/ˈnuːkliaɪ/
)- (physics) the part of an atom that contains most of its mass and that carries a positive electric charge see also neutron, protonWordfinderTopics Physics and chemistryc1
- antiparticle
- atom
- electron
- ion
- neutron
- nucleus
- particle
- positron
- proton
- valency
- (biology) the central part of some cells, containing the genetic materialTopics Biologyc1
- the central part of something around which other parts are located or collected
- These paintings will form the nucleus of a new collection.
Word Originearly 18th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘kernel, inner part’, diminutive of nux, nuc- ‘nut’.